I recently visited another studio that gets some of the work from my regular clients. On the good side - I have better gear, and more comfortable surroundings. They have some gear I don't have (computer systems - not what I use), and I was VERY impressed by their labeling. It sounds funny, but their crummy little studio LOOKS really good to the outside world, because they have GREAT CD labeling and paperwork.

I learned a lesson - time to get better labels and tracksheets. Worth the effort and money - As we all know, people "hear" things with an influence from their eyes; if the package is great, you THINK it will sound better.
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Have you ever visited the competition? What do they do better - food service? Parking? Mic selection? Monitoring?

Well, I'm getting a new couch. My couch is long in the tooth. I want to have a better couch than the competition.

Couches count.

Anyone who doesn't think it's worth the effort to spend a few dollars on slicker packaging probably should rethink their position.

I'm no pro at much, but, I can say that better labeling is a big plus...whatever the purpose. If it's just a demo to try to get a club owner to listen to a prospective act...and the club owner has two packages on his desk, one with "gee whiz" labeling, and one scrawled with a sharpie (not saying you're using a sharpie , but you get the idea), which one is he going to listen to? Now, even if the one with the slick labeling is by some 15 year old garage band, and the sharpie labeled one is by Steely Dan...he'll listen to the slick labeled one first, and worst of all, he may never even listen to the other one.

I used to think ref cd packaging didn't matter, now i do.

Maybe my avatar is working now. nice pants?

Fibes, when did you bleach your hair and stop playing drums? Ben Orr just contacted me from beyond the grave. He wants his look back. :p

1998.

I was blond the day before I went blue. Yep, pretensious.

I've never played drums. Except on sessions. Poor unsuspecting clients.

Aaaah. I always thought you were a drummer, hence the name Fibes.

Yeah and posting things like this:

Nice whisks.

ROTFLMAO !!!!!! THat is the funniest avatar I have ever seen JJ! It's a bit of an inside joke, but those who get it will really get it!!

JJP has some competition!

Could use just a tad more squint though..

Oh and yes. The logo and paper work (and couch) make a huge difference. In a past life I was a commercial graphic artiste working at a local firm,,, The firm was trying to attract world class clients and kept getting them in the door and then losing the deals.... We put in a new board room table and matching chairs (that replaced a kitchen table) and the huge clients (and money) started pouring in...

After that the female owner akways remarked that matching coffee cups were more important than past work.... I've lived by that ever since.

I should also add that consistency in your image is very important as well: IE: Your biz cards should match your letterhead, should match your signage, website, should match the artwork on your ref CD's etc etc...

Next time I see JJP, he's probably going to take a swing at me. But I've had so many laughs since that cover, it will be worth it.

You've got the reach on him.

Jack might give you a shot to the nads, though. I recommend a codpiece, JJ.

On topic: Brian's right... better looking labeling = more professional feeling = better perception regardless of the sound.

- Jeff

This thread isn't so much about labeling - it was intended as more "what does your competetion do better?"... and interesting exercise I find to define what you do - and don't do.

We actually do an exit interview with clients....what did you like, what did you not like, what would you like....etc.

Yes, I try to follow up with a phone call a week or two after the final mix just to try to get a vibe from the client, to see if they are truly satisfied. I like the "exit interview" idea... I will try that one as well.

Something I've always been curious, from the client's point of view:

Which is more important: aesthtics and anemnities, or sonic results? I've always thought my place looks awful, but sounds great (so do most of my clients is seems), but the new crop of people studio shopping seem more concerned with the creature comforts and how pretty the paint looks as to how the final product sounds.

Is this a trend or just a (hopefully short) streak of bad luck?

Yet Sound City is constantly booked! They have the same shag carpeting on the walls since 1973.

Yes, It's also about people... I have been doing a lot better since I learned to really run my shop like it's my living room, and my clients are invited guests that get the same treatment as a beloved family member.... Love them and they will love you in return.

I think EVERYONE is impressed by good looks. It's a start, if nothing else. It shows you care, if nothing else.

Sound is variable - what YOU think sounds great may not be the client's idea.

People - yes, critical, but I've seen total losers do tons of repeat business, and cool talented people starve. It's definitely a selling point.